Book Review - A Year at Castle Court by Holly Hepburn - #HolidayReading Mexio

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Amazon UK

Title: A Year at Castle Court

Author: Holly Hepburn

Format reviewed: Paperback

Source: Publisher supplied copy

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 27th December 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

Sadie is a single mum, nursing a broken heart. Her best friend from childhood, Cat, is burned out from working long hours as a chef in Paris. In need of a change, they decide to invest in their dream – running their own handmade biscuit shop in gorgeous Castle Court, a three-storey food court tucked away behind Chester's bustling streets.

They soon discover that Castle Court has its own community – a little haven of delight against the stresses of the outside world. But not everyone welcomes the new business; the patisserie owner is less than pleased by what she sees as direct competition and Greg, who runs the fancy bistro that dominates one end of the courtyard, doesn't think Sadie and Cat have the talent or business acumen to succeed. Luckily, there's support in the form of the delectable Jaren, who owns the Dutch waffle house opposite Smart Cookies, and Swiss chocolate-shop owner, Elin. And if all else fails, the friends can drown their sorrows in Seb's cocktail bar on the third floor!

This book left me craving biscuits... well not only biscuits but Dutch pancakes, american diner food and cocktails amongst others from all the fabulous places at Castle Court. 

Sadie and Cat are trying to navigate their first year in business of Star Biscuits, despite others in the court seemingly hating them, natural disasters and all manner of other things. 

Split into four parts, this was a very easy to read book, and  was enjoying every second of it. 

Despite suspecting I may know who each of the girls may end up in a a relationship with by the end of the book, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey of them getting to that point. 

And the biscuits what fabulous designs, and I had no idea so much work went into running an iced biscuit shop. 

I loved the other foodie shopkeepers in Castle Court and the whole community they have there. I just wish it was real so I could visit. 

Another joyous book from Holly Hepburn, which I loved every moment of.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - The Picture House by the Sea by Holly Hepburn

Amazon UK

Title: The Picture House by the Sea

Author: Holly Hepburn

Format reviewed: Paperback

Source: Purchased 

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 10th August 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

The picture house by the sea is the Palace at Polwhipple – a lovely art deco cinema, nestled in front of azure Cornish seas. But it is long past its heyday now, and its only saving grace is Ferrelli's, the family run ice-cream concession in the foyer, which is widely known as the best ice-cream for miles.

So when Ferdie, the owner of Ferelli's, breaks his leg, his granddaughter Gina drops everything to come and help out. But when she arrives she is dismayed by the state of the cinema, which she remembers fondly from summer holidays when she was little, and she is determined to give it the makeover it deserves. Along with local renovation expert Ben, she sets about reviving the Palace to its former glory. 
But the cinema needs more than a lick of paint. Its very future is under threat from a developer with greed in his eyes. Can Gina save the place before it is too late?

A dream of a book for Gelato lovers and cinema lovers alike, and it works incredibly well for fans of Cornwall, and trying to save small businesses against adversity. Not to mention the Italian grandparents, a renovations expert and some really imaginative ideas, some fantastic cosplay opportunities, plus new and old friendships. 

Pretty much if you are a fan of this sort of genre of books, then The Picture House by the Sea is a book you should look out for, as its a wonderful read. Yes in parts I could sort of guess what may be happening in advance, but I was so caught up in the book that i didn't really mind. 

I thought the names on each of the 4 parts of this story were so cleverly thought out, and I love how each part introduces three things each time, a new movie for the picture house to show, a new flavour of ice-cream and a new cocktail. 

I enjoyed Gina's character and her determination to succeed in the restoration of the picture house, but also to learn how to make gelato and start trying to think of her own new flavours. Gina has a long term boyfriend back in London, but also reconnects with her old friend and renovation expert Ben. 

Ben was great, he was a bit nerdy with his love of steam trains which just added to his overall charm.  Gina's nonno and nonna, are typical Italian grandparents, and I loved the way her grandmother was able to walk rings around Ferdie without him fully realising. 

The descriptions of the Picture House were great and I could really picture how it must have looked in its heyday and how Gina encounters it now. The name of the town Polwhipple is great, every time it popped up I smiled. I also loved the descriptions of the various flavours of gelato, and of the events that Gina is putting on. 

This is the first complete book I have read by Holly Hepburn, as I still need to read parts 2-4 of her previous book, and I thoroughly enjoyed the authors writing, and know I will definitely be reading more by her in the future. 

Book Review - Snowdrops at the Star and Sixpence by Holly Hepburn

Amazon UK

Title: Snowdrops at the Star and Sixpence

Author: Holly Hepburn

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

Publication Date: 5th November 2015

Rating: 4 Stars

A perfect winter warmer story for all fans of Cathy Bramley and Scarlett Bailey.

When sisters Nessie and Sam inherit a little pub in a beautiful country village they jump at the chance to escape their messy lives and start afresh. But when they arrive at the Star and Sixpence, it's not quite what they imagined - it's pretty much derelict, ruined by debts, and it's going to be a huge job to get it up and running again. 

It's just before Christmas but they are determined to relaunch on New Year's Eve, to bring the new year in with a bang. But with nosy neighbours, miserable locals and no money to contend with, it's not going to be easy. 

This is a lovely start to a brand new series, with a new to me author. 

Nessie and Sam are sisters, who are estranged from their father, but when he leaves them his pub in a small country village in Shropshire, they decide to leave their old lives behind and try to make a go of it. Arriving three weeks before Christmas, its clear the pub is in dire need of renovation. 

When they meet Frannie who runs the post office, she tells them that the grand opening is set for Boxing Day. Frannie is clearly in charge of the village and not to be crossed. 

This is a lovely novella where we learn bits about Nessie and Sam, along with various of the villagers. Both of the sisters have the chance of a new romance, and Sam really shows she knows PR with some of her ideas to get people into the pub. 

I would have loved to know more about the sisters past, but as is this the first book, I'm sure that within a few more books of the series, there will be more known about them. 

There is a warm and comforting feel to this book and the writing enhances that, and really draws you in. Snowdrops at the Star and Sixpence is a good little story and is really easy to read. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for this review copy. This is my honest opinion.